I live in Hendersonville (outside of Nashville). My son Zach was born at 36 wks due to PE-HEELP after 2 wks bedrest and emergancy induction. He idd great though and didn't even have to go to the NICU. He is our one and only but I also have thyroid problems and found this site researching that & found the connection to autoimmune problems. Very helpful info here!

I live in the Chattanooga area. My son Carter was born at 34 weeks due to preeclampsia - HELLP. Cara, I see your daughter was born on Dec. 22, 2004. Carter was born on Dec. 21, 2004. Were you at Erlanger?

Ooops! I didn't see this one. :) I live in Knoxville and plan on living here for the rest of my life. I moved to Tennessee in Dec of '97 but I lived in Middle Tennessee, in Clarksville on the border of Kentucky. I met my husband there and we lived in Clarksville until Christmas of 2003. Hoping to meet some of you at some point!

Actually I do not still teach. After my husband and I were married (about 4 1/2 years ago), I went back to college to get my Master's degree- and I've been here doing the Resident Director position since then. I am an RD over the married housing here, so I have a little bit of a professional outlet but quite a bit of time to spend at home with Lillian which I LOVE[:D]
Anyway- I plan to go back eventually- but probably when Lillian (and possibly my next one- if/when we get pregnant again) reaches school age. We'll see.

Anyway, hope you all are doing well today! Have a great weekend and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL leaves:-)

I'll jump in the TN chat. As Heather already knows, I live in Knoxville, too. I've been here for 17 years. I spent the first 18 years of my life in Kingsport. I have almost three year-old twin boys who keep me hopping.

Suzanne

PS - Heather - I didn't know you used to be a teacher....me too! Where did you teach?

I tell you what, if you are going to be on the Online Saving Grace Chat Party tonight, we can discuss GC events and goals we have in mind to reach in the next year. I simply do what I can when I can and pray I am making a difference in what I can accomplish. I still have to battle laundry, a munchkin that turns Houdini and keeps climbing out of the pack n play, one that refuses to nap with an emphatic "NO!" and another that shows so much appreciation for my thoughtful reminders to do her homework each night. And now that I've worked in a parttime job on top of it all, I've taken up juggling as a fulltime sport. hehehe

I tell you, the more people we can bring on board to spread the word, the better. It's kind of like being the first one to nervously ask a question in class. Everyone else is listening and possibly even too afraid to ask but wants to know the same answer. We are the ones asking the tough questions and trying to get the answers and so many more are listening right now. I hope to motivate many more to ask questions, keep listening, brainstorm possibilities with us for more awareness/greater recognition, a greater pool of resources to do more research/awareness/support, and give those that feel alone in their area another person to talk to that can understand the impact the PE disease can leave on an individual which is not understood by the average bystander.

I know, sounds like a podium speech, and I'll step down but I really believe in championing this cause for so many women struck unaware by it's devastating effects. I fear my own children could be among the masses that are devastated by loss when the time comes for them to have their own children. I've lost a son, I've lost a spouse, I don't want more families to have to understand what that feels like and endure the grief that goes with it.

I don't expect everyone to take on as much as I do because there are plenty of projects out there that can be done and by more than one person. The more help we can get, the more we can accomplish with Team Work. More people means more ideas, more hands, more time available to accomplish projects. I'm just excited to see members like yourself work up meetings with others. I will be going back through state posts looking for more members with enthusiastic personalities, such as yourself! :-) Keep up the great posts and I'll hopefully talk to you soon!